Pokemon Go at LAPL

“I wanna be the very best / like no one ever was… / To catch them is my test, / to train them is my cause…” Whether you’re 5 or 15 or 55, chances are you’ve heard of Pokémon (the animated TV show, the card game, the movies, the video games…it’s everywhere!) and you’ve heard of the latest game craze that’s sweeping the world: Pokémon GO!

Pokémon GO! is the record-breaking, free mobile phone game that allows you to catch Pokémon in the real world using augmented reality technology and GPS tracking. Once you reach Level 5, players chose from three teams – Valor, Mystic, and Instinct – to take over Gyms and level up their Pokémon by battling other players. Also found in the game are Pokéstops, usually landmarks or popular public buildings (like libraries or museums), or features of interest (like fountains and murals) where you can collect items like Pokéballs, Razz Berries, and Incense to help you attract and catch more Pokémon.

The Los Angeles Public Library system boasts 73 different library locations across the City of Los Angeles and the majority of these locations are either Pokémon GO! Gyms, Pokéstops, or both! By visiting these locations, you can stock up on all your Pokémon-hunting needs and catch some Pokémon while enjoying free air conditioning and free WiFi! There are most likely fellow Pokémon GO! players working at whatever library you visit, who can give you tips and share with you where they’ve found cool or rare Pokémon!

You can find a complete list of which LAPL libraries are Pokéstops and Gyms here!

And here are what some of the LAPL libraries are doing for Pokémon GO!...

Until August 6th, the Panorama City Library is running a raffle for players who catch a Pokémon at their location.

The Lake View Terrace Library made this fantastic Pokémon card for their library chicken, Osborne.

The Exposition Park – Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Library has this fun sign on their door showing that they are a Pokéstop.

The Studio City Library has this great display of Pokémon-related books, as well as some fun programs and action shots of Pokémon in their library.

The Sylmar Library has this great picture of what their Pokéstop looks like in the game.

At the Central Library’s TeenScape, they’ve gotten some great action shots of Pokémon with their teens and staff members.

The Edendale Library has a clever display of books featuring Essential Skills for Pokémon GO! players of all ages. Squirtle has visited this Library, so if you haven’t been able to catch him yet, you might want to visit them!

The Woodland Hills Library has gathered all their Pokémon books in one place, so you can catch up on all the various Pokémon manga series available!

And at the North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Library, we have a Pokémon GO! map in our Student Zone, where players can mark what Pokémon they’ve found in North Hollywood, and we have a scavenger hunt for Vulpix, our library’s special Pokémon (find the picture of him hidden somewhere inside to win a prize)!

Not really interested in Pokémon GO!? There are still great programs and services that you’ll find interesting at all of the LAPL libraries! At the North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Library, we have everything from Thursday Free Movies and Adult Book Club to Family Storytime and Block Party to Teen Volunteer opportunities! Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to learn more!

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